Alf Daniels Joins Utah Warriors as Head Coach

The Utah Warriors, a founding member of Major League Rugby (MLR), are excited to announce the appointment of Alf Daniels as Head Coach. Daniels will contribute a wealth of experience to the Warriors as he joins the team ahead of the MLR’s inaugural season.

A native of New Zealand, Daniels has coached at almost every level during his 30-year coaching career. After working for the New Zealand Police force, Daniels took a position as the Sports Coordinator at the Church College of New Zealand (CCNZ) working closely with their 1st XV (Varsity) Rugby team.

Since 2009, Daniels has served as a coach and administrator for the Waikato Rugby Union. He began as an assistant coach Waikato U20’s, and spent two years as Head Coach of the Development team before leading the provincial U19 team to three straight Jock Hobbs National U19 Championship finals, winning it all in 2016 and was awarded Kukri Representative Coach of the Year by Waikato Rugby

Speaking about his new role and rugby in Utah, Daniels said:
“I have been impressed with the outstanding development and growth that many others have done up until now in the area. I am also aware that Utah really is a Gold Mine of potential top-level rugby players. There are so many natural ‘Athletes’ running around over there and I am looking forward to the challenge of helping those athletes become better rugby players.”

“There are so many natural ‘Athletes’ running around over there and I am looking forward to the challenge of helping those athletes become better rugby players.”

As a player, Daniels made several age grade representative teams, then stopped playing competitively after serving an LDS mission. As a Coach Daniels has worked with NZ U20s captain Luke Jacobson, Jordan Smiler and Wharenui Hawera of the Brumbies, Bryn Gatland of the Blues and two of the Utah Selects 7s stars Jared and Joshua Whippy.

Former USA Eagle and Warriors CEO and General Manager Kimball Kjar said Daniels is exactly what the Warriors will need for their inaugural Major League Rugby season.

“We needed someone with top-flight player and community development experience to lead our transition to a professional set-up, Alf is that man,” Kjar said, “He has proven time and again that he has the expertise and character to mentor our players, coaches and the local community as we build unrivaled professional product and pathway. We’re fortunate to have someone of Alf’s character and expertise.”

Daniels will visit Utah in late October to interview coaching staff and start the talent identification process. Daniels will oversee the Warriors combine on October 28th at the Regional Athletic Complex in Salt Lake City.